What upper division bio classes should I take?

[ronnicus]

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I have to take 9-12 upper division bio classes in different fields to fufill my major. I can choose either fun, mostly useless classes or more rigorous slightly less fun but probably beneficial classes. For example, I could take molecular evolution(fun) or general microbiology(difficult). Are there certain classes you guys would definitely recommend given that I have to take upper division bio classes anyway?

 

[litokhmaikid]

Anatomy and Physiology.

 

[ronnicus]

Anatomy and Physiology.

I'm definitely gonna take human physiology at my school. It doesn't come with a lab tho, but the course offered at my local community college does. I was thinking of maybe taking physiology twice: once for my major and the second time to really nail it down (will get 0 credit for it though). The anatomy course I have the option of taking (at the same community college) also gives no credit and I will have to do it in addition to a full courseload senior year. Do you think it's still worth it in my case?

 

[Catalystik]

Personally I think Anatomy should wait until the semester immediately prior to attending med school if you want enough retention of information to make a difference. The upper-level bio I'd suggest is Physiology, Genetics, & Cell Biology. From there you could also consider Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, Histology, Endocrinology, Embryology, etc.

 

[DoTheTrick]

Take the ones you'd be interested in the most. My favorites were microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry. All of those are definitely worth taking 🙂

 

[litokhmaikid]

I'm definitely gonna take human physiology at my school. It doesn't come with a lab tho, but the course offered at my local community college does. I was thinking of maybe taking physiology twice: once for my major and the second time to really nail it down (will get 0 credit for it though). The anatomy course I have the option of taking (at the same community college) also gives no credit and I will have to do it in addition to a full courseload senior year. Do you think it's still worth it in my case?

Just take it at your school. The general consensus on SDN seem to be that none of these courses you take in undergrad make a significant difference in medical school because there is just so much more material in medical school courses.

 

[hoihaie]

take immunology, cell biology, metabolism, molecular biology, cancer biology

 

[Goro]

I recommend:

Anatomy
Physiology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Neurology or Neuroscience
Immunology
Biostats
Moelcular Genetics
Biochem
Cell Bio
Pathology or Pathophysiology

Avoid fluff courses like Ecology

Note: your course catalog may vary.



I have to take 9-12 upper division bio classes in different fields to fufill my major. I can choose either fun, mostly useless classes or more rigorous slightly less fun but probably beneficial classes. For example, I could take molecular evolution(fun) or general microbiology(difficult). Are there certain classes you guys would definitely recommend given that I have to take upper division bio classes anyway?

 

[ronnicus]

I recommend:

Anatomy
Physiology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Neurology or Neuroscience
Immunology
Biostats
Moelcular Genetics
Biochem
Cell Bio
Pathology or Pathophysiology

Avoid fluff courses like Ecology

Note: your course catalog may vary.



I have to take 9-12 upper division bio classes in different fields to fufill my major. I can choose either fun, mostly useless classes or more rigorous slightly less fun but probably beneficial classes. For example, I could take molecular evolution(fun) or general microbiology(difficult). Are there certain classes you guys would definitely recommend given that I have to take upper division bio classes anyway?

That's the thing- I'm actually really interested in a lot of "fluff" courses- things like Molecular Evolution, Deep Sea Biology but I also don't want to give up an opportunity to get a head start on the stuff I'll struggle with in medical school. Are there certain courses you think I should just suck it up and take because it will prove very beneficial in medical school?

 

[Goro]

Do a mix of both. At the least, take Anatomy and Physiology.

That's the thing- I'm actually really interested in a lot of "fluff" courses- things like Molecular Evolution, Deep Sea Biology but I also don't want to give up an opportunity to get a head start on the stuff I'll struggle with in medical school. Are there certain courses you think I should just suck it up and take because it will prove very beneficial in medical school?

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

Personally I think Anatomy should wait until the semester immediately prior to attending med school if you want enough retention of information to make a difference. The upper-level bio I'd suggest is Physiology, Genetics, & Cell Biology. From there you could also consider Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, Histology, Endocrinology, Embryology, etc.

Regarding upper level Biology Courses. Prior to application, if one were to take lets say Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, and Cell Biology would that be a sufficient amount of Bio classes in addition to Biology 1 if their major is not entirely Life Sciences but includes other non-science requirements? I hear mixed reviews on all you need is the pre-reqs ( assuming you've done well) to be competitive academically.

 

[Aerus]

Regarding upper level Biology Courses. Prior to application, if one were to take lets say Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, and Cell Biology would that be a sufficient amount of Bio classes in addition to Biology 1 if their major is not entirely Life Sciences but includes other non-science requirements? I hear mixed reviews on all you need is the pre-reqs ( assuming you've done well) to be competitive academically.

Medical schools do not focus as much on what biology courses you've taken. Some have extra requirements, so you either fulfill them or you don't apply to those schools. Did you reasonably challenge yourself intellectually, given the opportunities available to you? Did you earn a high GPA that signifies that you are a good student? Those questions are more important than "Did I take enough upper level biology courses?"

 

[Catalystik]

Regarding upper level Biology Courses. Prior to application, if one were to take lets say Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, and Cell Biology would that be a sufficient amount of Bio classes in addition to Biology 1 if their major is not entirely Life Sciences but includes other non-science requirements?

Yes, more than sufficient, provided grades are good and the BCPM GPA is in a competitive range. And provided that Bio II with lab is planned before matriculation and listed as future coursework OR, if your school doesn't offer it, that med schools give you a waiver for this near-universal requirement.

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

Yes, more than sufficient, provided grades are good and the BCPM GPA is in a competitive range. And provided that Bio II with lab is planned before matriculation and listed as future coursework OR, if your school doesn't offer it, that med schools give you a waiver for this near-universal requirement.

Okay Great. Thanks for your advise. Biology II at my school is focused on plant biology I believe , and I was under the impression that 1 year of Bio meant Bio 1 + any upper level Bio course. Would you recommend to take Bio II or another upper level would suffice. An thank you for your helpful feedback.

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

Okay Great. Thanks for your advise. Biology II at my school is focused on plant biology I believe , and I was under the impression that 1 year of Bio meant Bio 1 + any upper level Bio course. Would you recommend to take Bio II or another upper level would suffice. An thank you for your helpful feedback.

Seems like from your post it is universal so I will take it Prior to graduation haha

 

[Catalystik]

Seems like from your post it is universal so I will take it Prior to graduation haha

Good plan. Med schools can be lamentably picky on this point. I, too, was stuck taking a mainly botany course for Bio II.

 

[optimistic3]

I LOVED my microbiology course so I suggest that everyone take it. If my school had offered that as a major, I would've done it.

I also enjoyed my cell bio and biochemistry classes. I am extremely interested in a biology of cancer class so I'm going to take that next semester.

It really depends on what your school offers and what you are interested in.

 

[THEWORLDCUP]

Good plan. Med schools can be lamentably picky on this point. I, too, was stuck taking a mainly botany course for Bio II.

May I PM you?

 

[Spinach Dip]

I recommend:

Anatomy
Physiology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Neurology or Neuroscience
Immunology
Biostats
Moelcular Genetics
Biochem
Cell Bio
Pathology or Pathophysiology

Avoid fluff courses like Ecology

Note: your course catalog may vary.

Way to narrow it down for him. LOL.



OP: I found Embryology and Human Genetics to be 2 of the best classes I ever took. They were challenging, but highly relevant to the career you are considering.

I was forced to take Ecology (mandatory for all Bio majors at my school...) and hated 98% of it.

 

[NCPremed13]

Does your biology department offer anything like parasitology? This was my absolute favorite class! It was very interesting and gave me insight on common parasites and immunology.

 

[Shootinblanks]

See if you have any nutrition or food science classes that would fulfill your requirement. You will learn a whole lot of practical and clinical information from those classes, more than most premed advanced bio classes. Also if your school offers virology, I found that class to absolutely phenomenal and it really will give you an appreciation for viruses and why you should not prescribe antibiotics for everything